Carotid Artery Stenting Treatment in India

Navya Ali, a 58-year-old high school...

Navya Ali, a 58-year-old high school principal known for her boundless energy, first noticed a problem when her right hand went numb during a staff meeting. A few weeks later, she experienced a brief episode of slurred speech and left-sided facial drooping that resolved within an hour, a classic transient ischemic attack (TIA). A concerned visit to her GP led to a referral to a neurosurgeon, Dr. Mehta. A carotid ultrasound revealed a 70% blockage in her left internal carotid artery, a major supplier of blood to her brain. Dr. Mehta explained that while a traditional carotid endarterectomy (surgery) was an option, Navya's history of prior neck radiation for thyroid cancer made her a better candidate for the less invasive carotid artery stenting (CAS). The procedure, performed under local anesthesia, involved threading a stent through a small groin incision to her neck to open the narrowed artery. Navya was awake but comfortable, listening to calming music. Post-procedure, she spent one night in the hospital for observation. Recovery was swift; she was back to light administrative work within a week. Emotionally, the TIA shattered her sense of invincibility, filling her with fear of a debilitating stroke. After the successful stenting, while she remains vigilant about medication and check-ups, the overwhelming anxiety has lifted. She feels a profound gratitude for the 'second chance' and has become an advocate for stroke awareness in her community.